“The Consequences of the Resurrection”

INTRO: (v.20a) – “But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead…”

One of the great “Buts” of the Bible! – (Rom 3:21; 1 Cor 6:11; Eph 2:4)

1 Corinthians 15:20–34 CSB

But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. For God has put everything under his feet. Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception. When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them? Why are we in danger every hour? I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus as a mere man, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Come to your senses and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame.

I. Consequences for the Future – (15:20b-27)

A. Christ has become the firstfruits of the dead – (vv.20-23)

1. He completely defeated death – (v.21)

(Romans 5:12)

2. He reversed the curse of Adam – (v.22)

(Romans 5:14-21)

3. He demonstrated His power by His resurrection – (v.23a)

4. Believers will be resurrected at the coming of Christ – (v.23b)

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) (1 Corinthians 15:50-52)

B. Christ will deliver the kingdom back to God – (v.24-28)

1. All authority will return to God the Father! – (v.24a)

When Jesus finishes His work, there will be no more rebellion, no more challengers of God—all rule, authority, and power will be returned to the Father!

2. All enemies will be defeated! – (vv.25-26)

The last is death – (Isaiah 25:8) (Hosea 13:14) (Revelation 20:11-15)

3. The Son will subject Himself to God! – (vv.27-28)

The nature of Christ’s life and ministry was one of submission to His Father – (John 5:19, 30; Hebrews 10:5-10)

II. Consequences for the Present – (15:29-34)

A. Why would the Corinthians practice baptism for the dead if the dead do not rise? – (v.29)

A straightforward reading of the verse indicates that, on at least one occasion, the Corinthians held a baptism service on behalf of the dead.

C.K. Barrett describes this as, “a practice no doubt as familiar to them as puzzling to us.”

L. Morris assures us there are between 30 - 40 explanations; he believes that some believers were baptized on behalf of friends or relative who had died un-baptized.

A man named G. W. Bromiley has suggested two possible interpretations that are consistent with the rest of Scripture:

First, people were often baptized as a result of seeing Christians “die well,” or live Christ-like lives before their deaths—“because of the dead.”

Second, baptism is with a view to the dead—i.e. to their own death and resurrection.

(Romans 6:5) – “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.”

In BOTH cases it makes no sense if there is no resurrection!

Simon J. Kistemaker – “In all humility I confess that the sense of this text escapes me; verse 29 remains a mystery” (after he provides over two pages of commentary examining seven different explanations, along with his own analysis of the text).

B. Why would Paul and others face death if the dead do not rise? – (vv.30-32)

(2 Corinthians 4:8-12; 11:23-27)

C. The resurrection requires a change in our behavior – (vv.33-34)

(v.33) – “Company”is from όμιλία (homilea) – can also be translated, speech or sermon.

Wrong thinking, about the resurrection or any other fundamental articles of faith, always leads to wrong behavior!

(v.34) – “Come to your senses…” translates two words:

ἐκνήψατε δικαίως – ‘Become sober righteously…’

The PURPOSE of sobering up righteously is to “…stop sinning.”